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 South Carolina Railfan's Handbook
The Palmetto State has a number of attractions for railroad enthusiasts, most notably the South Carolina Railroad Museum, just south of Winnsboro. Old railroad equipment is also on display in numerous other locations around the state. Spartanburg's Cleveland Park has a miniature park train that you can ride along the loop that runs around the playground area.
Another place to experience South Carolina's rich railroad history is along the numerous rail-trails. In these locations, abandoned railroad tracks have been converted to hiking and bicycling paths. Several pieces of the Palmetto Trail have been built on old railroad and tram lines also. For more information about these rail-trails, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's web site at http://www.railtrails.org/.
South Carolina has several “firsts” in railroad history. In 1831, the the first regularly-scheduled steam train, pulled by a locomotive known as the “Best Friend”, began operating in Charleston. This line was later extended to Hamburg, SC, which is now part of North Augusta. The portion of this line between Charleston and Branchville is still in operation today, while most of the line from Branchville to North Augusta has been abandoned. In 1939, a piece of this line became America's first rail-trail opened to public use, the “Cathedral Aisle Trail”. You can still hike this trail today, located in the Hitchcock Woods.
For more information about the Best Friend, be sure to visit the web site of Charleston Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, located at http://www.bestfriendofcharleston.org/.
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Located in Rockton, Fairfield County, SC.
The Official Railroad Museum of South Carolina offers excursion rides over the restored portion of its 11-mile railroad. The demonstration train ride lasts approxmately one hour.
For more information, see the museum's web site at http://www.scrm.org/.
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Located in Branchville, Orangeburg County, SC.
Branchville, South Carolina, is home to the world's oldest railroad junction and was on the route of the country's first scheduled passenger train. The Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum now serves as a reminder of days gone by.
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Located in Florence, Florence County, SC.
An old steam locomotive built in 1917 by Vulcan Iron Works sits outside this museum.
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Located in Richburg, Chester County, SC.
A saddle-tank steam locomotive sits here in the town of Richburg for visitors to view.
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Located in Aiken, Aiken County, SC.
Two railroad coaches and a caboose are undergoing restoration here.
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Located in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC.
A miniature park train runs around the playground area.
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Located in Charleston, Charleston County, SC.
This ten-mile long rail-trail is part of the East Coast Greenway. The scenery varies from suburban to rural along the way. Most of the trail is unpaved, hard-packed dirt, and there are virtually no hills. Altho it runs parallel to US #17, it is far enough away that you cannot see the highway or hear the traffic noise.
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Located in North Augusta, Aiken County, SC.
This seven-mile rail-trail is completely paved, and it is a popular place for walking, bicycling, and roller skating.
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Located in Greenwood, Greenwood County, SC.
In the town of Greenwood, South Carolina, you will find a bicycle trail built along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. It begins on Main Street and runs about 2 1/2 miles out to an old mill village.
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Swamp Rabbit Trail
Located in Greenville, Greenville County, SC.
The city of Greenville has a wonderful paved trail running thru the downtown, part of which was built along a railroad corridor. Along the way, the Swamp Rabbit Trail passes thru Cleveland Park, Falls Park, and Linky Stone Park. The rail-trail portion consists of 8 feet of asphalt and 5 feet of specially designed rubberized running trail surface.
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Cathedral Aisle Trail
Located in Aiken, Aiken County, SC.
Cathedral Aisle is America's oldest rail-trail. It is now an unpaved hiking trail located in Hitchcock Woods, just outside of Aiken, SC.
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Swamp Fox Passage
Located in Berkeley and Charleston counties, SC.
The Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail lies deep in the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest. Much of this passage has been built over old logging railroad lines. Altho there are no hills, this trail is unpaved and very rough. It does go by some interesting scenery, however. It is accessible from the Witherbee Ranger Station, Halfway Creek Trail Camp, or the Swamp Fox Parking Area.
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Located in Newberry County, SC.
This section of the Palmetto Trail is on an abandoned railroad right-of-way thru the towns of Peak, Pomaria, and Prosperity.
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Located in Florence, Florence County, SC.
This 11/2-mile long paved trail is a popular place for walkers and runners in a residential neighborhood of Florence.
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Located in Bluffton, Beaufort County, SC.
This little-known piece of the East Coast Greenway passes thru some wonderful scenic and historic areas near Bluffton, SC. The south end of this unpaved trail terminates at the New River.
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Located in Charleston, Charleston County, SC.
Running thru neighborhoods of the West Ashley area is a 4-kilometer long paved bike trail known as the West Ashley Bikeway. While some parts are in poor condition, the portion that is to the east of Saint Andrews Blvd. is very nice. After leaving the residential area the trail runs as straight as an arrow thru the woods. Heading eastward, you can begin to see glimpses of marshland and the river thru the trees along the sides of the trail, until at last you emerge at a spot with a spectacular view of the Ashley River.
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Links
Web site maintained by Mike Adams, mike@sciway.net. [009-01-05]
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